5 Boat Accident Legal Myths You Should Stay Clear Of

Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims demand the full amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim may include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws which are weighed to determine if negligence was the cause. If a boater is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths on the sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a fatal boat accident, the family can sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can even recover money for past medical bills as well as future medical expenses.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining whether you or a loved ones were injured in a boat accident. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties who could be responsible for the incident, such as the manufacturer of the defective boat or boat accident part.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future) as well as lost earnings due to the absence of work emotional trauma, as well as pain and suffering. Injuries that are serious typically involve back and neck injury and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents typically involve multiple parties that could potentially bear legal liability for a collision, including the boat's operator, boat accident any other passengers who were onboard at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines and even government agencies responsible for putting buoys that warn of the dangers of conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the details of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on an vessel that is injured on the sea has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to that, sailors injured in international waters, or the outer continental shelf waters can claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have died are entitled to compensation under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process can help determine the strength and effectiveness of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of liability as well as establishing what caused the boating crash. Eyewitnesses can also give valuable information that will back your claim.

Medical records are critical for finding out the extent of your injuries as well as the injuries that result from them. These records should include detailed reports of hospital and doctor visitations surgery, rehabilitation and the associated costs them. You'll need to record the changes in your income and employment capacity, as well as any other non-financial loss.

Boat accidents are frequently caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-changing impact.

Other forms of marine injury include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine problems or steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention immediately following an accident on the water. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving an account to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. An attorney can help protect your rights, including ensuring that you receive adequate compensation for the damages.

The legal process to seek compensation in the event of a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are accountable. It is typical to present evidence in support of the claim, which includes both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In certain instances, a boat manufacturer or parts of the boat may be held responsible for an accident if their product was created or manufactured in a defective manner. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances it's not just the operator of a vessel who is liable for a crash. The owners of boats can also be held responsible, especially when the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or when a person who is not fit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.